Words were still burning from her heart to her lips when she saw Lady Marion holding out her hand in kindliest greeting to her; all the bitter thoughts melted at once in the sunshine of that fair presence; her own hand sought Lady Marion's, and the two women, whose lives had crossed each other's so strangely, stood for one moment hand locked in hand, their eyes fixed on each other.
Lady Marion spoke first, and she seemed to draw her breath with a deep sigh as she did so.
"I am so pleased to see you, Madame Vanira," she said, eagerly. "We must find time for a long talk this evening."
With a bow Leone passed on to the ballroom, where the first person to meet her was Lord Chandos; he looked at the bouquet she carried.
"You have honored my flowers, madame," he said. "I remember your love for lilies-of-the-valley. You will put my name down for the first waltz?"
There was a world of reproach in the dark eyes she raised to his.
"No, I will not waltz with you," she replied, gently.
"Why not?" he asked, bending his handsome head over her.
"I might make false excuses, but I prefer telling you the truth," she answered; "I will not trust myself."
And when Leone took that tone Lord Chandos knew that further words were useless.